Miranda BrumwellFor the last year, Corporal Edward Turner has been working on a mural depicting the new Battalion Colours. The recently completed mural was unveiled June 13, where it is now proudly displayed on the outside wall of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (1 RCR) drill hall.
It was decided by the 1 RCR’s internal Senate, the Colours needed to be redesigned to include the Afghanistan Battle Honour, so in 2013 new Battalion Colours were designed. The Directorate of History and Heritage approved the design in 2016.
“The colours are usually a flag-sized physical product, and it’s going to be several years before any actual physical colours will actually be presented. The unit asked Cpl. Turner if he could take that and kind of turn it into a painting so that members of the unit could see the colours years in advance before they’re actually set to be produced,” said Major Marc Kieley, Deputy Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment.
The history of the Battalion Colours dates back before the 17th century when they were carried into Medieval battles. The Colours are the greatest possession of the regiment and the battalions that carry them. They are always protected and honoured wherever they’re displayed.
Cpl. Turner felt this was a great opportunity and honour to paint the mural and give back to the unit he’s served with for the last decade. This will be Cpl. Turner’s last year in the military and plans to transition into a career in art.
“Hopefully, this will help him with a foot forward into his next career as a potentially professional artist,” said Maj. Kieley.
